Fence Lake, New Mexico

Fence Lake is a census-designated place located in southwestern Cibola County, New Mexico, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 42.[1] The area is largely ranchland, and there are few businesses there. According to local residents, the name was derived from the original settlers having to fence off a pond formed in a natural depression that was in the area, to keep animals from contaminating the water source.

Fence Lake, New Mexico
Census-designated place
In front of the old school building
Fence Lake
Coordinates: 34°39′12″N 108°40′39″W
Country	United States
State	New Mexico
County	Cibola
Area
• Total	16.9 sq mi (43.8 km^2)
• Land	16.9 sq mi (43.8 km^2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km^2)
Elevation	7,070 ft (2,150 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	42
• Density	3/sq mi (1.0/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	87315
Area code(s)	505
FIPS code	35-26010
GNIS feature ID	0898775

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the population of the Fence Lake CDP was 42, consisting of 23 households, of which 11 were families. Females were 54.8% of the population. The racial make-up of the CDP was 26.2% Native American, 71.4% White, and 2.4% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.8% of the population.[2]

Geography

Fence Lake is located on New Mexico State Road 36, 33 miles (53 km) south of NM 53. It is 63 miles (101 km) south of Gallup and 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Quemado. Its coordinates are 34°39′12″N 108°40′36″W. The Zuni Reservation is to the north and west.

The original Fence Lake location is shown on USGS topographic maps of the area as being about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of the center of town.

Average rainfall, inches: January 1.1; February 1.1; March 1.2; April 0.7; May 0.7; June 0.5; July 2.4; August 2.6; September 1.6; October 0.9; November 0.9; December 1.0; Year 14.8[3]

Post office

There is a post office located in Fence Lake, with the zip code 87315.

Fence Lake activities

Fence Lake holds an old timers' reunion every other year on odd years, and has done so since the last Saturday in July 1961. Over the years, it has grown to a gathering in even years, also, with fiddle contests, jam sessions, and dances in the school building. Barbecue and pot luck meals are served. People attend sometimes from all over the globe.

Also the community turns out for the annual Fourth of July parade, including the town fire truck and various other participants.

• 
  The stage in the old school house
• 
  The start of the parade
• 
  The chuck wagon
• 
  Fine words by local Manion Long
• 
  The lake bed today southeast of the village
• 
  Post office in 2009

Aggressive Christianity Missionary Training Corps

Main article: Aggressive Christianity Missionary Training Corps

Shim Ra Na Ekklisia (also called Miracle River)[4] is located near Fence Lake. It is a small community of Christians about 10 miles (16 km) to the east of the town. In July 1997, Deborah and Jim Green purchased 640 acres (260 ha), originally parts of the old Tingle Ranch at that location from Jonnie Head Real Estate. The Greens use the Fence Lake Post Office to mail out their publications.

References

1. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Fence Lake CDP, New Mexico". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
2. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Fence Lake CDP, New Mexico". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
3. FENCE LAKE, Cibola (formerly Valencia County) data derived from NCDC Cooperative Stations. 25 complete years between 1933 and 1995
4. Aggressive Christianity-Home of Shim Ra Na Holy Tribal Nation

External links

• New Mexico Highways Page